Moving into your new home can be daunting, especially if you’ve been hard at work in scouting for the best homes for rent. As you narrow down your search, here are things you need to prepare in advance to get you ready for your new home. 

1. Complete Your Paperwork 

...and have them with you. Always. Landlords tend to be more inclined to rent out spaces to potential tenants who seem the most serious about keeping said space. And having the necessary paperwork intact is a step towards that. 

Take note of the following: 

*Rental Application Form (duly completed and signed) 

*Proof Of Income and/or Pay Stubs (if you are employed) 

*Bank Statements 

*Credit Card Statements and/or Credit History 

*Personal Legal Identification (i.e. driver’s license, passport, national I.D., etc.) 

* Recommendations (from previous landlords and/or property managers)

*References (from supervisors, managers in your current workplace, as well as that of your current one, as a backup) 

*Lease Guarantor Documentation (if applicable)

*Proof Of Financial Support (if you are a student but are being funded by persons who are)

Should there be other documentation your landlord will require from you, as long as they’re related to the leasing contract, bring them with you as well. Additionally, landlords don’t usually ask for all of the abovementioned documentation. Having said that, it’s wisest to be prepared in case they ask for it. 

2. No Word-Of-Mouth Contracts 

When it comes to leasing engagements, remember to treat it how you would any other professional business agreement. With that in mind, contracts are, therefore, only binding if they are on paper, and have been signed and witnessed by reliable personnel.

Doing so is a form of Tenant Protection. Your insurance, if we may say so. By putting the contract into writing, you can be assured that your landlord will follow through with any pledges and agreements they’ve vouched for via conversation. 

Now, you have proof of security of said agreement. And if they fail to uphold their end of the bargain, whether intentionally or not, you can hold them accountable for the misdoing. 

At the same time, a written contract will keep you on your toes, too. It’s a two-way street. You will also be expected to remain a responsible renter and abide by the rules as listed in your Renter’s Agreement. 

P.S. If there isn’t one such agreement, you can ask your landlord to provide you with a copy you can refer to. 

3. Renter Privacy And Rental Repairs 

Although your landlord is the owner of the place, you as a renter have your right to privacy. It should be understood (and again, clearly stated in the contract) that they cannot simply enter your space whenever they wish to. 

And if they do schedule visits with you, it should only be for reasons such as inspecting the home for repairs or in response to your request for said repairs. 

Each state has varying regulations regarding the details of Renter Privacy. Nonetheless, they generally revolve around the same thing--- it’s imperative that your landlord asks you for your permission to set a schedule for entering your rented abode. And that they are to do so only for purposes of upkeep inspection, renovations, and/or amenity restorations.